Alison Hernandez: Optimism at last following period of instability in our police force

Recent months have been challenging for my office for a number of reasons, not least working to reinstate strong and stable leadership of Devon & Cornwall Police. 

With new Chief Constable James Vaughan at the helm, firmly committed to making real and tangible improvements to policing while delivering my new Police and Crime Plan, there is an air of optimism that is most welcome after a prolonged period of instability. 

And there is further cause to celebrate this week as I officially open three more police enquiry offices to the public. The front desks at Ivybridge, Liskeard and Tavistock are now open and welcoming members of the public to come and report crime, get advice and find out about victim services. The office at Exeter is due to open later this year. 

I am delighted to have now opened or reopened 17 police station front desks, bringing the total across Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to 26. 

Ivybridge in particular I know will be greatly welcomed; when I surveyed the public I had a significant number of responses calling for a presence in the town, demonstrating not only a need but also a desire to strengthen what is clearly an already connected community. And as the station was opened just eight years ago with no front desk, this feels like the final piece in the puzzle for public safety in Ivybridge. 

Bringing face-to-face policing back into the heart of communities is a passion of mine and one of the achievements I am most proud of, as I am told time and again how important it is to the residents of Devon and Cornwall to have a choice of how you can get in touch with police. They also offer a place of safety to people of all ages who are at risk or feeling vulnerable.  

The project has been an enormous success. More than 72,000 people have used a police station front desk since May 2024. This proves real value with a relatively little investment; the project to date has cost just £2.5million. 

The police inquiry office in Newquay, which was the first to be reopened in 2020, was last week visited by Chief Constable Vaughan, who was delighted to see firsthand the difference staff have made to the people in their community. 

The chief met police inquiry officers Nicola Punyer and Lesley Lewis and was full of praise for their hard work and commitment to helping residents of the town and neighbouring areas. 

All too often it’s the negativity around policing that’s brought to my attention, rather than the everyday successes I know are being achieved by police officers and staff all around the force area. 

Large or small, every one of those positive interactions are invaluable in making Devon & Cornwall a police force you can have trust and have confidence in. 

That’s why I love to hear about great work done by our fantastic police enquiry officers – and the neighbourhood policing teams – so if you want to pass on your thanks please get in touch with my office.